It's her Twelve Days of Christmas tree.
OK, it's not technically a tree, but since it's in the shape of a tree, we count it among her 15 trees. It's one of her oldest projects, and since it's completely hand made, it's still one of my favorites.
About twenty years ago, when my dad was on an extended business stay in Germany, she needed something to fill her long evenings. Crafting the Twelve Days of Christmas seemed like as good an idea as any.
The original idea was to make a wall hanging. By the time Dad got home, she had plans for him to build a tree out of dowels for her instead.
On which to hang...
Twelve drummers drumming...
Eleven pipers piping...
Ten lords a leaping...
Nine ladies dancing...
Eight maids a milking...
Seven swans a swimming...
Six geese a laying...
Five golden rings....
dum da dum dum dum dum
Four calling birds
Three French Hens...
Two Turtle Doves...
And an owl in a pear tree...
Admit it. It looks like an owl.
We've teased her for twenty years about that,
but if the Duchess says it's a partridge,
then by golly,
a partridge it is!
Owl or not, I love her tree,
and I love the Christmas table that it inspired.
It was already set up by the time I took these shots so you can see a bit of it.
The rest will just have to wait until tomorrow.
*****
Sharing this with Vanessa at her Inspiration Friday.
22 comments:
I am lovin' that tree!!! If you get a chance, I responded to your question about the photo storage under my post...put it there for all to see and to have for future! Thanks for stopping by! Christie Thomas
How cool is that! I love the look on some of the cow's faces best! This is truly a special one of a kind item, how fun-enjoy:@)
Wow! That is wonderful. My husband and I have been looking at the Christmas markets in Germany online, they are soo amazing. Your tree is very neat. What a family treasure.
Sherry
That is priceless - I LOVE it. sandie
too cute - and what a treasure. I've been out of pocket, so I've not been around visiting, been missing out - loved your Thanksgiving tablesetting.
Now that is wonderful! I love that she included you Dad in this project too. LOL! I even love the Owl in the pear tree. haha! This really is a fantastic and creative idea!
That is so cool! I love it! How totally crafty of The Duchess. I am so totally impressed. Did she use patterns for those or just make them up as she went? Very neat! Um, I don't know what a partridge looks like except the one on The Partridge Family opening, which reminded me of a brown peacock. Either way, it's a fabulous tree! I am still impressed she puts up 15 trees.
What an adorable tree!!
It was cute in the first picture - but the close-ups were priceless!
Personally, I'm a fan of the cute little cows with their googly eyes. They look a little stunned - perhaps the maids forgot to warm up their hands before commencing with the milking...just sayin'
And, if you share this next piece of information I'm not quite sure what I'll have to do to you...
...it's an owl.
:)
Can't wait to see the tablescape - AND - I hope we get to see the other 14 trees too!! You are all the most creative family and have so much fun together!
I love this tree! (I'll probably start every post about the Duchess's trees that way...She has so many and they're all wonderful). I don't really have a favorite "day" but I'm partial to those cows too. I remember how hard she worked on these jewels. She's so creative. I wish she'd passed a little more of that gene to me.
Hope you can get some decorating done today!
What DOES a partridge look like? I'm thinking the Duchess got the feathers correct....
love it!!
xo
lynn
Lynn, that's EXACTLY what she says.
Now this is an heirloom your family will always treasure. The leaping lords are great along with all the rest. I'm just lovin' it! Now I'm really excited after getting a peek at your table.
Have a great day...we are packing 24' truck to drive across our state tomorrow and it's snowing like crazy. Only a couple of idiots would move this time of year!
That is so unique!!! What a blessing!!! Thank you for sharing something so special. I think children would love to create a tree like this one.
Blessings,
Bren
What a treasure! Love that tree - it's wonderful!
SPECTACULAR!! Let me join all the other admirers and say that this tree is so creative. I LOVE IT!!! I need some of that creativity!!
I love it, owl and all!!! Wish I was that crafty. I can't wait to see the whole tablescape tomorrow. Blessings!
Debbie,
Now I'm going to be humming that song all through bible study tonight!LOL! The "tree" is wonderful and as a crafter, I can appreciate the work that went into it (including the "owl")!
~Jean
that is fabulous...and so creative and clever !
(())
This is just adorable! All her hard work paid off - it got her that fabulous set of china!! LOL!
Katherine
Oh my! That is one precious "tree". I just love all your stories. I also think your Christmas table is exceptionally Christmassy! I love looking at Christmas decorations in blogland.
Hey friend! Just coming back by to say thanks for linking up to the party this week! I absolutely love this post and the history behind this very special tree! :-)
Vanessa
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